February 14, 2008

FATALITY
Midland Police were called to Midland Memorial Hospital last night, February 13, 2008, in reference to a toddler who had been struck by a vehicle.

Officers investigating learned that at approximately 7:00 p.m., a black Mercedes SUV, driven by a 30-year-old female, pulled into the circle drive at 2020 Fringewood.  She dropped off a child who lives at the residence.  When the child went inside the house, the father came outside to talk to the driver through the passenger window.  During this time, without the father’s knowledge, a toddler exited the house.  When the driver pulled forward and attempted to make a left turn out of the driveway, the toddler was run over by the vehicle’s left tire.  The woman exited the vehicle after hearing the impact.

The father came back outside.  The woman drove the injured child and father to Midland Memorial Hospital. 

The victim, 14-month-old Zachary Ashton, sustained head and internal injuries.  He died during emergency surgery a few hours after the incident. 

No charges have been filed at this time.  The investigation continues. 

CITY JOINS ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM
The City of Midland is joining the Oncor Electric Delivery CitySmart initiative, a pilot program designed to help municipal governments improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs in city-owned buildings.

Through CitySmart, the City of Midland is eligible to receive an incentive check for CitySmart projects it implements by November 30, 2008.  Incentives are paid by Oncor with the Public Utility Commission of Texas providing the mechanism for calculating energy savings achieved.  The city is awarded an incentive check when projects are completed and the new equipment is inspected.

The CitySmart Program will help the city and the community by saving taxpayers money and improving public spaces.  Energy efficiency projects are also great financial investments that help manage costs in future years.

Although the City of Midland already has completed some upgrades to reduce energy use, CitySmart will focus on pinpointing additional actions that will deliver the best results.  The program also works to involve personnel at all levels to participate in the decision-making process.  This aspect of the program is important because it ensures that the financial decision makers understand the lifelong cost of the equipment and therefore justify funding energy efficiency projects.

“Local governments are recognizing the need to reduce energy consumption for budgetary and environmental reasons," said Mike Nieto, Area Manager, Oncor Electric Delivery.  "This CitySmart Program is providing a framework in which the participants can develop an integrated strategy and implement that plan to achieve lasting reductions." 

Oncor Electric Delivery operates the largest transmission system in Texas, providing power to three million homes and businesses, and operates more than 115,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas. Information about Oncor can be obtained by going directly to www.oncor.com

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